This week's ACC-Big Ten Challenge has several classic matchups. Think about Illinois vs. Duke and Michigan State vs. North Carolina ... WOW!

	Illinois point guard Frank Williams (30) will match up against another Williams -- Jason of Duke.

I can't wait to get to Greensboro to see Bill Self's talented Illini matched against the No. 1 Duke Blue Devils on Tuesday (9 p.m. ET on ESPN, preceded by Wake Forest-Michigan at 7 p.m. ET).

Down at Greensboro, Duke is coming off an expected blowout of Army, which came just a night after a tough test against John Chaney's Temple Owls. The win in the finals of the Preseason NIT left people believing the Blue Devils are vulnerable.

The Illinois frontcourt of Marcus Griffin, Brian Cook and Sergio McClain and company are physical and tenacious. They could give Duke some trouble, especially if the Blue Devils get into any foul trouble.

The key for Self's team could be the shooting of guard Cory Bradford. He has been struggling lately, shooting 1-for-8 against Arizona and 2-for-8 in Sunday's win over Texas Southern.

The matchup at the point will create basketball excitement. It is a battle of the Williamses, and I am not talking about Venus and Serena, baby!

It is Duke's Jason Williams and Illinois' Frank Williams hooking up. Frank takes his scintillating, one-on-one ability against Jason, who was phenomenal down the stretch in sparking Duke to the comeback win over Temple.

Coach Doherty, meet the defending champs
Then Wednesday, the defending national champion Michigan State Spartans provide the first major test for Matt Doherty in his first year at the helm of his alma mater, North Carolina.

The Izzone at Michigan State's Breslin Center will be in vocal force, rocking big-time. Still, you'd better believe the Tar Heels are familiar with invading hostile territory; they make the journey eight miles down the road to Cameron Indoor Stadium every year, so they know what to expect in an environment like that.

The problem for North Carolina won't be the environment, but dealing with the likes of Charlie Bell. He has been sensational this year, improving his offensive skills. We already knew he was one of the most impressive defenders in America.

If I had to pick an All-Rambo team, Bell would be right near the head of the list, along with Shane Battier of Duke. The question is, can Bell contain the scoring wizardry of Joseph Forte, the All-Rolls Royce superstar of the Tar Heels?

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These matchups have all the makings of genuine NCAA tournament clashes. ”

On the interior, the matchup of Brendan Haywood against Andre Hutson will be interesting to watch. Also, Michigan State's diaper dandies Zach Randolph and Marcus Taylor are coming off the bench. That makes the Spartans one of the deepest teams in the nation. Rest assured, Randolph and Taylor will be in the game at crunch time.

For North Carolina to win, it must receive solid point-guard play by the rotation of Adam Boone, Brian Morrison and Jonathan Holmes. Michigan State will pressure the basketball.

These matchups have all the makings of genuine NCAA tournament clashes.

There are other intriguing story lines. Can Maryland bounce back from two losses in Maui? The Terps face the tenacious defensive pressure of Dick Bennett's Wisconsin Badgers, never an easy opponent. Then there is Purdue, coming off the upset of Arizona, taking on Peter Gillen's undefeated Virginia Cavaliers.

The ACC-Big Ten Challenge will create lots of basketball enthusiasm across the Midwest and in ACC country.